Penn State Women’s Basketball: Coach Carolyn Kieger energizes program

Coach Kieger Crafts A Culture

The Lady Lions answer “The Climb” , with their own buzz-phrase, “Ignite the PRIDE”. PRIDE, an acronym for Passion, Respect, Investment, Discipline and Excellence is being used as the basis for establishing a winning culture, at Penn State. The coach is out front in building the brand through social media platforms, and in a recent interview by Michael Breed, on  A New Breed of Golf Sirius XM radio show, she stated, “When it comes to culture, everyone needs to be on the same page. As the leader and head coach, I want to create a system where everyone knows where we’re going.” 

It’s not a coincidence that PRIDE is also a family of lions. The lioness is a feared hunter, on the African plains and the Lady Lions have embraced the savage nature of their mascot. When assistant coaches Ginny Boggess, Ashley Early and Myia Johnson go on the recruiting trail, it’s called #hunting.  Assistant Coach Boggess has been a key recruiter and has mentored perimeter players for Coach Kieger’s program. Her biography states that she recruited Allaziah Blockton and Natisha Heideman (Big East Players of the Year in ’18-’19 respectively) and her final recruiting class for Marquette was ranked 13th, in the country.

In order for the Lady Lions to compete with the top-tier B1G programs, Coach Boggess and her cohorts will need to hunt down and sign, high-caliber talent.  According to ESPNW HoopGurlz rankings for 2019, Ohio State has three five-star and two four-star recruits, Maryland has three five star and a four-star and Michigan State has four four-star recruits. Fortunately, the incoming Freshman class that former Penn State Head coach CoQuese Washington left behind has talent of their own.